Should a third semester become part of the HE system?

The introduction of a ‘third semester’ to give those who have been unable to pass all their subjects in the minimum time allocated an opportunity to complete their studies, has been mooted by some Nigerian students.

Will this be a back door to students who simply neglected their studies? Or is it a solution for those who have fallen behind in their studies due to unforeseen circumstances, such as strikes?

In Nigerian public universities, an academic calendar year is made up of two semesters. If a student fails a course in either of those semesters, they are required to wait until the next session or year to re-register for the course and retake the exams.

This system can be frustrating for students who need one or two courses to graduate. Some may face difficulties balancing their ongoing studies with work or family commitments and some fall victim to stigmatisation from their peers and isolation due to their prolonged stay in university.

However, an additional short third semester, some argue, could fall within any of the semester breaks serving as a ‘grace period’ during which students who had failed courses in the prior sessions are granted the chance to retake those courses, complete assessments and attend revision sessions before the start of a new session, or academic year. This would save them the stress and time of waiting for months or a full year to finalise their studies.

While the concept of a third semester might seem unconventional in Nigeria’s public universities, it is already a well-established practice in the country’s private universities.

Students who have had difficulties completing their studies told University World News how such a system might have helped them.

Student voices

Upon checking her results online in 2023, Faith*, who should have graduated from the Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto, Nigeria, in 2021, realised that she would need to repeat another year because she had failed two courses.

Although her undergraduate academic journey was supposed to end in 2021, she could not earn her degree certificate without passing all her courses.

In her penultimate year, 2019, the institution shut down due to COVID and, thereafter, a strike by lecturers halted her studies. It became clear that she would have to spend an extra year at the university.

“Due to the number of courses I was expected to take in my final year, 2021, I had no choice but to carry the failed courses over to the academic session of 2022,” she said. Each course carries a credit value and there is a ceiling to the total credits that a student can earn in the fourth year, and she would have exceeded it.

Faith said her situation made her feel so suicidal that she attempted standing in the middle of a road hoping to be hit by a moving vehicle. She told University World News that, in March 2024, she has had to defer her studies again and, therefore, has not yet graduated.

‘My father refused to talk to me’

Matthew*, at the Federal University of Birnin-Kebbi, north-western Nigeria, fell out with his father when he told him that he would have to spend an extra year in school because of a course he could not pass in the 2022 academic session.

The engineering student said life in university has been hard without the financial help of his father at a time when school fees in universities around the country were hiked and the cost of living has skyrocketed.

“My dad was angry. He considered it shameful that I would have to remain in school while my mates had graduated. For some time, I have not spoken to my dad and he hasn’t been sending me money. I had to pick up a freelancing job online to fend for myself and pay my school fees but that is barely enough,” he added.

Like Faith, Matthew has not yet graduated, University World News learned.

Folasade*, at Alex Ekwueme Federal University in Ebonyi State, south-east Nigeria, is fortunate. Her father may not be happy about her returning to university to redo a course, but he still provides her with support and encouragement from time to time. However, what she finds unpleasant is how people make snide remarks about her situation.

“Occasionally, I come across posts on social media where my friends are celebrating new jobs and accomplishments. It leaves me with a sense of sadness and a feeling of being left behind,” she added.

Jane*, a final-year mass communication student at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, contends that the introduction of a third semester could effectively alleviate the mental health strains associated with the burden of carrying over courses.

Indeed, according to Aisha Bubah, a mental health expert, founder and lead psychologist of The Sunshine Series-Mind Wellness, carryovers and spillovers can have a significant impact on the mental health of students. She highlighted that students with carryovers or spillovers “may experience depression and a decrease in their academic performance, which can create a cycle of failure”.

Challenges

Amaka*, a student at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, who has recently been dealing with a spillover, believes that “the school management should take steps to abolish the concept of spillover, as it seems to be causing more harm than good to the individuals involved”. But not everyone believes it is a viable solution.

Kazeem Aremu a lecturer at the department of mathematics at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, believes that, while the educational system has been implemented in private universities across the country, lecturers in public universities might be hesitant to embrace it due to the potential increase in their already heavy workload, compounded by low pay.

Idris Ibrahim Alao, a lecturer of Islamic Law at the College of Law, Fountain University, Osogbo, Nigeria, said that students might abuse the system if implemented as they may not take their studies seriously if they know they have another chance to retake a failed exam.

Professor Johnny Ogunji, the immediate former director of academic planning at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, explained that “circumstances are not very rosy to necessitate that the rules be changed. Students are strongly encouraged to study diligently”.

“The rules regarding academic expectations are already outlined in the students’ handbook for everyone to reference. It is unlikely that a third semester would be offered to students who fail to retake exams due to the potential financial burden it would impose,” he said.

According to Kabiru Muhammad, an associate professor of business and ICT law, and the director of academic planning at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, a third semester is feasible but may be difficult to implement because public universities are “facing financial constraints and are struggling to maintain their operations”. He also noted that no lecturer would be willing to work without compensation.

* Names have been changed.